“I’m really grateful that they have been so understanding during this time. Technically, I’ve already started onboarding and have begun doing some light training remotely.”
“What is the company called again?”
“Sanders & Son. They are based in Boston. Their reputation is impeccable and they are ranked one of the best places to?—”
“Are you shitting me?” Nico cuts in.
All eyes turn to him as he stares at Alec with a lethal edge.
“Sorry?” Alec asks, defense sharp on his tongue.
“You work for Sanders &Son? You were hired? Who do you report to?”
Alec’s brows furrow in confusion as he looks to me before back to Nico.
“Lawrence Jennings, why?”
“You’re the new IT prodigy?” Nico scoffs like he can’t believe it.
“I’m sorry, I’m lost,” Alec admits.
“Sanders & Son is Nicholas’s company,” Carly says. “You work for him.”
Chapter Fourteen
Nico
Are you fucking kidding me? What are the goddamn odds that the new hire Larry wouldn’t stop yammering about is Cassi’s ex? Or maybe he’s her current. With the fucking bruise left on her neck from his sloppy mouth, who knows what they are.
I can’t stop my hand from tightening into a fist in my lap. Awesome. Even when I leave Seattle, I’ll have a permanent reminder ofher. As if there was ever going to be a reality where that wasn’t the case but now it’ll be a physical reminder. A living breathing string bean piece of shit who has had his mouth, fingers and probably limp dick on or inside her.
“You’re kidding!” Mary says, like it’s the most wonderful circumstance. “Is that true Nico? Is that your company?”
“Yes,” I answer tightly, forcing myself to relax as I look to her.
“Well, looks like Alec has you to thank for being so understanding of his delayed start,” Henry says as he takes a sip of his beer.
“Guess so,” Alec says before looking behind Cassi, conveniently wrapping his arm around her chair as he looks to me. “Thank you, it means a lot.”
My eyes narrow at him. I don’t like this kid. At all.
His thumb begins gently rubbing the bare skin of her neck, pushing through the curtain of hair that is strategically hiding the hideous mark he’s marred her skin with. It’s a taunting gesture, as if he wants my eyes to move towards it, like he wants me to know his claim has been staked. My gaze doesn’t falter for a moment, if this little shit thinks he intimidates me for even a second. If I wanted his girl, I could have her. In a heartbeat.
Normally, I’d think a statement like that with zero hesitation. When it comes to Cassi, though, I can admit that I’m not one hundred percent confident in that statement. It felt like I almost had her last night. Hindsight, I’m grateful she stepped away when she did, because I was two seconds away from picking her up and fucking her raw on top of her mother’s kitchen island.
My cock stiffens at the thought of it. Being near her is so goddamn intoxicating. All rational thought and logic flies out the window. Even now, the subtle smell of vanilla and cinnamon is pulled off of her, filling my senses and dulling my mind. It takes everything in me not to lean a little closer and bask in…her.
“Of course, besides, any friend of Cassi’s is a friend of mine,” I say, pulling Cassi’s attention.
I feel her eyes on me and as much as I’m tempted to look down at her, I’m too invested to break this sort of pissing contest her little boy toy has started.
“Appreciate that. Though, Cassi and I are definitely way more than friends these days, right, babe?” Alec asks, pulling her into his side slightly.
She looks visibly uncomfortable, and it takes all of the restraint I possess not to rip her from his grip.
“Uhm,” Cassi starts before Mary sweetly cuts in.
“Oh, are you two officially back together?” she asks, a hope tinging her words that instantly rubs me the wrong way.
